By Ben Jenkins, Newswire Intern

Off-year elections in New Jersey, Virginia and California delivered decisive results that can provide some insight into how the next round of elections will go. 

The governor race in New Jersey was won by the Democratic Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill. Sherrill will become New Jersey’s second female governor and first female governor from the Democratic Party.

This win marks the second straight Democratic winning in the state of New Jersey.

“Democrats were highly motivated to counteract the Trump administration, leading to better organization, fundraising and voter turnout,” political science professor Dr. Mack Mariani said.

In Virginia, Abigail Spanberger became the first woman to hold the office of governor in state history. She won in dominant fashion by 15 points over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears. Governor-elect Spanberger focused much of her campaign on critiques of economic policies that President Donald Trump has implemented.

Out west, California passed Proposition 50, which allows for California lawmakers to redraw congressional districts how they would like to. Before the Proposition 50 districts were drawn by an independent redistricting commission.

 Proposition 50 was California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s response to redistricting in states like Texas and Florida.

Proposition 50 is expected by many to add five Democratic representatives in the House of Representatives.

“Will they be able to squeeze out one or two more seats, maybe?” Mariani said.

Leaders in California are making it out to be a huge win for the Democrats but it might not be as important as expected. The districts in California are already heavily influenced by Democrats.

“Non-partisan processes tend to get co-opted by partisans,” Mariani said.

These elections can give a good insight to how voters are feeling heading into next year’s all-important midterms. Democrats have to feel good after winning almost all the major elections of this past cycle.

“I think the Democrats. Definitely,” Mariani said, when asked about what side had the advantage heading next year. Mariani believes that is because of the nature of mid-term elections, usually having less voters out favors the Democrats heavily. 

Another disadvantage the Republicans may have is that Trump will not be on the ballot.

“The people who came to vote who were low propensity voters came to support Trump,” Mariani said.

Without the party leader on the ballet there could be a decrease in motivation to vote, from many who would typically vote for Republicans. This will likely make it tough to replicate past voter turnout levels. 

These off-year results show that the political landscapes of the United States might be tilting toward the left heading into 2026. Strong performances in Virginia, New Jersey, and California may give the party some momentum.